BMF announces 2018 Charity partner, after amazing year of fundraising

Published: 21 September, 2017

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has nominated Variety, the Children’s Charity, as its charity partner for 2018. Variety works to improve the lives of children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged.

Nick Shattock, Variety’s Chief Barker said: “We are absolutely delighted to be selected as The Builders Merchants Federation charity for 2018 and are looking forward to working together in an exciting and successful partnership. We are grateful that commitment and generosity of the BMF and its members will make it possible for Variety to reach even more children who need extra help.”

This follows an amazing year of fundraising for the BMF’s 2017 charity partner, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the merchant industry’s charity, the Rainy Day Trust. Over £200,000 has been raised for so far this year. This includes £8,000 raised at the BMF Burns Supper and Members’ Day, £62,000 raised at the BMF All Industry Conference Gala Dinner (which was shared with Crystal Clear’s charity) and £153,000 from sponsors of the 2017 Pavestone Rally – a figure that may increase when the final contributions are received.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “BMF members are always generous but the total raised for charity this year has exceeded our wildest expectations. This would not have been possible without the support of the Crystal Clear Group, who donated the car that was auctioned at our Conference Gala Dinner, and the organisers of the 2017 Pavestone Rally, which has really captured the industry’s imagination. We have now set ourselves a challenge to match or even exceed this figure to share between our 2018 charity partner, Variety and our industry charity, Rainy Day Trust.”

Aaron Frogley, who organises the Pavestone Rally said: “The Rally is a simple concept and a lot of fun. Buy an old banger and take a four day drive in fancy dress through ten countries to Monte Carlo completing silly challenges along the way. With 39 teams competing this year we raised almost two and a half times as much as our previous record. I’m so proud of the generosity of our industry and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve next year.”

Next year’s Rally will be sponsored by Vado, and proceeds will be divided between Rainy Day Trust and Variety. The Vado Rally takes place from 7th to 10th June, with a brand new destination – the wonderful city of Copenhagen – and even crazier challenges for the teams to navigate. The closing date for entries is 22nd December 2017.

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The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has nominated the Teenage Cancer Trust as its charity partner for 2017. During the year the Federation will raise funds through four major events, with the proceeds being shared equally between the Teenage Cancer Trust and the merchant industry's own charity, the Rainy Day Trust.